On Eve of Tourney, Five Owls are Honored by C-USA

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The yearly All-Conference USA awards for women's soccer have been tabulated, and the league coaches have rewarded five Florida Atlantic University Owls in the voting, as announced on Monday.

Four Owls earned All-C-USA notoriety: Midfielder Gi Krstec is a First Team member, both forward Miracle Porter and defender Amanda Martin were named to the Second Team, and Sammy Vitols was voted Third Team at midfield. Further, goalkeeper Amit Cohen was tabbed to the league's All-Freshman Team.

Gi Krstec
All-C-USA First Team
Krstec started all 10 regular season games in 2021, and 867 out of a possible 940 minutes, or 92%. That included all 110 minutes in two double-OT matches and playing the entirety of six of 10 contests, including a stretch of five in a row. She has taken a team-high 21 shots, putting five on goal, and picked up an assist on the game-winner in a C-USA road win over Middle Tennessee. Last time out, against FIU, she both had her first goal of the season, as well as her second assist, in the Owls' 3-0 win.

"I'm ecstatic to be recognized alongside so many other talented players in our conference," said Krstec. "It's never an individual sport, it's always an entire team, and I wouldn't have been chosen if it weren't for my teammates. On and off the field, I have a phenomenal coaching staff and family that has always supported, welcomed and empowered me. Thank you to Conference USA and the coaches who voted for me. Go Owls!"

Amanda Martin
All-C-USA Second Team
Martin transferred in to FAU and has made an immediate impact on the backline, including two goals, both on the road in league play. She has five starts under her belt, playing the full 90' in all five of them, in addition to her two caps off the bench. In her first sub role, against Marshall, her key goal equalized late in the second half towards a comeback win, and she added her second goal of the year, which proved to be the game-winner, at Middle Tennessee. Her two scores have come on just four shots this season, three of which were on goal. She has also led the defensive unit that recorded three straight shutouts to end the regular season.

"This is a tremendous honor to be recognized in such a talented and competitive conference," said Martin. "Through the help of the coaching staff and my teammates, I've made a full recovery from an ACL injury and have been blessed to be a part of such a supportive team. I can't wait to continue this journey with this group of girls and staff. From where we started to where we are now, we have come such a long way and have proven as a team that we can compete at this level of competition. I am beyond grateful to be part of this team and excited to see what the future holds for us."

Miracle Porter
All-C-USA Second Team
Porter paces FAU with five points, scoring twice plus an assist, and five of her 10 shots this year have been on goal. Her first '21 score was the lone goal and game-winner in a 1-0 shutout of Miami, and she also had a late second-half equalizer to gain a valuable point in a league tie against WKU. Her helper was key in the second score in a 2-0 road win over Middle Tennessee. In eight matches and seven starts, she's totaled 635 minutes on the pitch, including all 110 against WKU and the full 90 at Old Dominion.

"First and foremost, I want to give a big thanks to Conference USA for recognizing me for All-Conference Second Team," said Porter. "Like Drake said, 'started from the bottom, now we here." I also want to give a big shoutout to the coaches and my team. I wouldn't be in this position without them."

Sammy Vitols
All-C-USA Third Team
Vitols is one of just four Owls to start and play in all 10 matches to this point, and is fifth on the team with 753 minutes played. She was on for all 110 minutes against WKU, the full 90 at Middle Tennessee, and over 75 minutes four other times. She picked up a key insurance goal in the match at MT, and ties for the team lead with two assists as well, one coming in that same contest against the Blue Raiders (on the game-winner) and the other in the season opener against Utah Valley.

"I am very grateful to be recognized by Conference USA and showing that my hard work has been paying off," said Vitols. "None of this season would've been possible without my incredible teammates and coaching staff. We have a learned a lot as a team throughout this season and I'm very grateful to be where we are now."

Amit Cohen
C-USA All-Freshman Team
Cohen finished off the season with three straight clean sheet wins in league play. Against Charlotte, she picked up her first career victory and shutout, with two saves, and earned C-USA Goalkeeper of the Week honors; on the road at Middle Tennessee, she was even better, with eight saves against 14 Blue Raider shot attempts, picking up another win; and she ended the regular season by tending goal in a 3-0 shutout over FIU.

"I am honored to receive this personal recognition. It has always been a goal of mine to come to the United States and play Division I soccer," said Cohen. "I couldn't have done it without the hard work of my teammates who welcomed me and made me feel at home. I am grateful for my coaches who have always believed in me, and gave me the chance to come play for such an incredible program. I hope that we will continue to succeed next year and reach new peaks with this program."

The Owls and Southern Miss Golden Eagles play in the third of four quarterfinal matches in tomorrow's opening round in Houston. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m. Eastern.

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Players Mentioned

Amit Cohen

Gi Krstec

Amanda Martin

Miracle Porter

Sammy Vitols

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